through my wardrobe, I found a pale pink skirt set that my grandmother had gifted me for my birthday. Trying it on, it fi

took my seat in the car. It was too late for them to insist on another change of clothes. Throughout the journey, my mother chi

I followed my parents with a sense of awkwardness. Directed by my mother, I took my seat, donn

They engaged in conversation with one another and, as was typical, seemed to forget my presence. Occasionally, th

rnestly. Uncertain of the question, I notice

adn't been following the conversation, I refrained from as

es

d affirmation would ensnare me in a ni

e. Like me, he was his father's sole son and, until recently, the only heir. Now, I am the sole beneficiary of both est

h. The details of their story remain obscure to me, as neither speak

en mistake; a child not planned by my father. This is a point

or does he permit my father to show any. I've noticed that whenever my father displays kindness towards me, she invariab

dparents' home, until the day came for me to be sent to a convent school. To their frien

silent; I was to offer brief responses when addressed and nothing more

and am quite shy. My favoured pastimes are reading, music, and dancing - but only in solitude. Currently, I am in my second year of a shipp

I notice a couple approaching with a child slightly older than myself, strikingly attractive, with

ady inquires with feigned astonishm

t were genuine. She has never regarded me thus when we are alone! It's astonishing how convincingly she can feign; all my life I've harboured the feeling t

looks y

know her, yet I can't recall anything about her. I smile at her, tr

' her eyes seem to say. 'You should have worn the other

ou," I say as he ext

been lingering behind her with a look of annoyance, which instantly transforms into one of

n she steps aside and there I am, standing before her son, who suddenly triggers a memory. He's the bully who

used to spend our holidays t

... I..." I stutter, bewildered by thei

her in that insincere tone of hers. I look at her, but remain si

ch a tale? I hadn't spared a thought f

ts, "a moment ago you seemed t

ercing me into actions I abhorred! I've loathed him all my life; he would shadow me and strike when we were unobserved. Then he had the gall to ensure I was blamed f

ous," come

l as if from the plague. I detest it! The feeling is still there! I had completely forgott

dive into their business discussions. The food arrives; my mother has ordered salmon, which I abhor. This is why I merely

a?" my mother inquires, castin

I had managed to push it away. I attempt to create as much distance between us as possible, but he edges closer

sabella?" my mother a

d to go to the bathroom for a moment, if you'll excuse me,"

I wash my hands. I play a few songs longer than necessary, knowing Mum will be upset, but I c

hed their meal, I stand up. Taking a deep breath, I exit the bathroom,

could escape from m

nst his grip, but he is stronger than I am. A sob breaks free, prompting him to release me and loo

I hear my father announce as Lui

osting our children'

did yo